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City of East Moline City Council met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

PLEDGE:

Mayor Freeman led the City Council and all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ROLL CALL

Mayor Freeman called the meeting to order and directed the City Clerk Wanda Roberts-Bontz, to call the roll. The following Alderpersons were present: Olivia Dorothy, Jeffrey Deppe (remote), Nancy Mulcahey (remote will only be listen to the meeting – no vote), Adam Guthrie, Rhea Oakes, Lynn Segura, and Jose Rico.

a. Staff Report on request(s) for remote attendance by Council Member, as applicable.

b. Consideration of Staff Report (roll call vote) on request(s) for attending the meeting electronically; consideration and approval is subject to satisfaction of the Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/7 (Resolution 23-63 presented by City Administrator or City Attorney, with the approved Resolution to be incorporated within the Meeting Minutes)

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve the Open Meetings Act regarding remote attendance for Jeffrey Deppe as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura, and Rico. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, or PUBLIC HEARINGS

Proclamation

Mayor Freeman presented Comlan (big) and Martin (little) with the Proclamation, “Big Brother/Big Sister National Mentoring Month” the Month of January 2024. Mr. Comlan (big) stated that he has been a mentor for 4 years.

Mr. Comlan (big) came to United States in 2016. In 2019 volunteered with Big Brother/Big Sister program. Mr. Comlan (big) stated that he was matched with Martin (little) in 2020. Mr. Comlan participated with Martin in and outside of the school in various activities. Big Brother/Big Sister need mentors. They are looking for men and women to volunteer and assist young individuals to future there education and importance to stay in school.

CONSENT AGENDA:

City Clerk Roberts-Bontz read the Consent Agenda that included the following:

a. Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2023.

b. Approval of Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2023.

c. Approval of Salaries as of January 5, 2024 in the amount of $473,388.79.

d. Approval of Overtime as of January 5, 2024 in the amount of $28,455.87.

e. Approval of Bills as of January 5, 2024 in the amount of $4,739,254.70.

f. Approval of Salaries as of December 22, 2023 in the amount of $443,037.37.

g. Approval of Overtime as of December 16, 2023 in the amount of $18,126.58.

h. Approval of Bills as of December 22, 2023 in the amount of $394,765.97.

i. Mayoral Appointment of Kimberly Rodriguez to the Fire Pension Fund Board.

j. Mayoral Appointment of Mark Rothert to the Quad Cities Land Bank Authority.

A motion was made by Alderperson Dorothy, seconded by Alderperson Guthrie, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

ATTORNEY ROGER L. STRANDLUND - PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

ORDINANCES – 1st Reading - None

ORDINANCES – 2nd Reading - None

RESOLUTIONS

24-1 2024 Aerial Photography Update

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve Resolution 24-1 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

24-2 Authorization to hire new firefighters (amendment requested)

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Guthrie, to approve Amendment to Resolution 24-2 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to approve Resolution 24-2 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

24-3 Transfer of city-owned property to the Quad Cities Land Bank Authority for demolition

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Guthrie, to approve Resolution 24-3 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

24-4 Annual membership in the Quad Cities Land Bank Authority

A motion was made by Alderperson Rico, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve Resolution 24-4 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

24-5 Adoption of City Council Priority Goals

A motion was made by Alderperson Guthrie, seconded by Alderperson Segura, to approve Resolution 24-5 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

24-6 Authorization to purchase Fire Pumper (expedited approval requested)

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to approve Resolution 24-6 as presented. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

CITY STAFF COMMUNICATION:

Each City Staff member present was given the opportunity to inform the City Council and those in attendance of events in their departments:

Mark Rothert, City Administrator – Mr. Rothert thanked the street crews that worked 12-hour shifts during the heavy snow. We have not experienced this amount of snow in years and decades. Mr. Rothert expressed his gratitude to Todd Stickler and his crews for having done a great job at maintaining the streets.

Chief Ramsey, EMPD – Chief Ramsey informed the City Council that they will be starting the Citizens Police Academy next Wednesday, January 24, 2024 the first class will be held at East Moline.

Todd Stickler, Maintenance Services – Mr. Stickler informed the City Council that they broke a record going back to 1923 with 25.5 inches. There were 21 guys working 11 on the first shift, and 10 on the second shift, from Friday night into Saturday morning.

Mr. Stickler stated that there are 130 miles of streets, 68 cul-de-sac and 54 dead end streets. They ordered 5 trucks back in December 2022, three of the trucks have arrived. Two of the other big trucks are being built. Hopefully, we will get them this year.

RECESS SESSION:

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Segura, to recess the City Council meeting to go into the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried. 7:05 p.m.

RECONVENE SESSION:

A motion was made by Alderperson Segura, seconded by Alderperson Guthrie, to reconvene the City Council Meeting. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried. 7:32 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

The following Alderperson were present: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

Others in Attendance: Mayor Reggie Freeman, City Administrator Mark Rothert, City Attorney Roger L. Strandlund, Police Chief Ramsey, John Showalter and City Clerk Wanda Roberts-Bontz.

EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION, AS APPLICABLE, UNDER THE FOLLOWING SECTION(S) OF THE ILLINOIS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)

(1) The appointment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.

(2) Collective negotiating matters.

(5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body.

(6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.

(7) The sale or purchase of securities, investments, or investment contracts.

(11) Threatened, probable, imminent, or pending litigation.

(12) The review or discussion of liability claims, loss, settlement, or risk management information.

(21) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act

EXECUTIVE CLOSED SESSION:

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to go into Executive Closed Session – 5 ILCS 120/2 (C) 2. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried. 7:34 p.m.

RECONVENE OPEN SESSION:

A motion was made by Alderperson Segura, seconded by Alderperson Oakes, to return to open session. Upon roll call the following voted in favor: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried. 8:07 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

The following Aldermen were present: Dorothy, Deppe, Guthrie, Oakes, Segura and Rico. Motion carried.

Mayor Freeman regarding the Closed Session with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) 596 wage negotiations to be continued.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderperson Oakes, seconded by Alderperson Dorothy, to adjourn the City Council meeting. A voice vote was taken. Motion carried. 8:09 p.m.

https://www.eastmoline.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01162024-981